By Praise Chinecherem
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has called on youths to join in the collaborative efforts of ensuring peace and safety in the country, channel their strength towards sustaining peaceful coexistence and volunteer information to security agencies to enable them nip in the bud the menace of crime and criminality.
Assistant Commandant of Corps, Operations ( AC, Ops) at the NSCDC Zone K , Zonal Command Awka, Engr. Onyebuchi Onwuteaka gave the charge on Friday in Awka while delivering a paper at the Anambra Youth Investment Summit organised by National Youth Council of Nigeria ( NYCN) Anambra State Chapter.
He pledged the Corps willingness to harness intelligence and energy of Nigerian youths to combat youthful restiveness and make them more responsive and resourceful to national development.
While decrying rising spate of cultism, extremism, banditry, robbery, senseless killing, kidnapping, political thuggery, drug and substance abuse as well as online fraud among the youths, Onwuteaka implored them to embrace useful adventures and engage in vocational skill learning, as crime does not pay.
” I must commend the leadership of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for putting up this investment summit tagged think home agenda to enlighten the youth, reduce youth restiveness and empower them to be financial stable towards a sustainable development.
The NSCDC boss underscored the need for understanding and harmony as necessary conditions for sustainable economic growth and development that would tackle poverty, hunger and inequality, calling on the youths to make themselves available to be included in all levels of government as well as empowerment that would enable them occupy their rightful position in the society, as against being used as political thugs.
“One of the key components of sustainable development is peace. Once there is peace, a healthy environment is assured for development. I urge you to be law-abiding and shun negative tendencies as well as violence in order to make the society secure.
“ Instead of engaging in social vices, I challenge you to take part in productive ventures, be involved in the formulation and implementation of government policies, this of course will equip you to be self independent, reduce intent to commit crime, prevent conflicts, and translate to a healthy society that we desire” he noted.
Onwuteaka further advised the youths to be mindful of the fact that time and tide waited for no one, challenging them to act fast why the opportunity lasted.
